Calin Bleu - The baby carrier of happy babies

Baby wearing with a disability

2008-12-22T10:20:00.003Z

Today's post is dedicated to Melissa. Melissa is the owner of Lemon Balm Essentials. If you have an interest in hard-to-find wraps, you might already know her passion for anything wrap related. She is the expert of limited editions, bringing new fairly unknown brands to the market.

She has two young daughters and still carries the youngest one.
Melissa suffers from Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all over the body. The condition affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments (bands of tissue that connect bone to bone), resulting in widespread pain, fatigue and extreme sensitivity to pain.

Melissa shared what happened to her recently at her doctor. Her PT saw her carefully lift her toddler on her back, slip her backpack over her and went off, holding her older daughter with one hand and her cane with the other. Her PT concluded, that's the safest way to do it, better than just holding her hands or pushing her buggy.

A great resource for disabled parents wishing to carry their children is the Disability, Chronic Illness and Special Needs Board at The Baby Wearer.
Many times, several vendors and baby wearing teachers have pulled their knowledge of baby wearing and disability to design a carrier specifically for a mum and her child. Cinda at Tentoes (now closed, unfortunately) was one of them. Of course, you should always consult with your health care practitioners but if you wish to carry your little one or not-so-little one, don't give up. Many mums and dads manage to do it and actually find it safer than trying to run after a toddler, push a pram or lift a child without a sling.

Any question? Join the baby wearer for advice, chances are you'll find another parent who's been there, done it.

Do you Twitter?

2008-12-18T16:09:00.003Z

Calin Bleu is on Twitter, come and join us, follow us and tell us where you are so we can also follow you!

http://twitter.com/calinbleu

Super cheap wraps on sale, only a few left!

2008-12-18T12:58:00.005Z

I have found a few rolls of fabric I had bought to make wraps before I started Calin Bleu. We made them up as wraps and selling them to make space in our stock room (again!)

There are only a few left so if you'd like to start wrapping on a budget, now is the time!
100% woven cotton, not stretchy. The fabric is handwoven in India and they were made in the UK.
They are sent without any packaging and just one sheet of instruction of the most popular carry. Of course, you can find the rest of the instructions on our website.
Once washed, they will shrink to 4.60m

This is how they look once wrapped.
There are two colourways left: red/blue, green/turquoise.
£18 including postage to the UK, no return no exchange on these clearance items. They're not on sale on the website, so email us to order: infoATcalinbleu.com

Are you in Beds, Herts or Bucks?

2008-12-18T12:12:00.002Z

Today, Jonathan Vernon-Smith is talking about slings in his consumer clinic. I was interviewed earlier in the programme for Sling Meet.

Have you bought a sling? Did you make it yourself or did you buy a fancy one? Why do you choose to carry your baby?

Call the team directly on 08459 455 555 or text 07760 173737 between 11am and 1pm.

A beautiful baby wearing painting

2008-12-01T16:00:00.003Z

Nicki is a mum of three and a keen baby wearer.

I love browsing her blog and her Etsy shop. Today I came across her newest baby wearing painting, a mum with her child on her back. The background lets your imagination take you far away, a peaceful sea or an early morning sunrise, an imaginary forest?

Mums are often concerned that they won't have the same connection carrying their baby on their back than they are on their front. Everyone has their preference, I can only tell them that I love feeling my child on my back, their head slowly feeling heavier on my neck until I hear a gently snore. All that walking about on mummy's back must be exhausting because my son always falls asleep pretty quickly! Maybe instead of saying that I love it and that the only way to know if they'll like it is to give it a try, maybe I should just point you to Nicki's painting?

I was going to talk to you about the VAT going down today and the wraps being even better value than before, but it seems a bit prosaic after Nicki's beautiful painting, maybe I'll leave that for tomorrow!

Babies pushed in buggies facing away from their parents could suffer lasting psychological damage

2008-11-24T10:51:00.002Z

Everyone has their own reasons to choose a baby sling, need to get stuff done around the house, love that snuggly feeling and feeling them close to you, breastfeeding on the go, enjoy going out and about with your hands free...
Choosing a sling doesn't mean that you can never use a buggy. Some families choose not to own a pram or a buggy at all and go through their children's childhood with just a sling (or many slings!). For others, using a sling at time and using a buggy other times works better. Only you can judge what works best for you and your child.

Scientists have been studying mothers and children in their buggies.
Their findings very much confirm what we know as mothers.

"A quarter of parents using face-to-face buggies talked to their baby - more than twice as many as those using away-facing buggies.
Babies facing towards the buggy-pusher enjoyed a reduced heart rate and were twice as likely to fall asleep.
Only one baby in the group of 20 laughed during the away-facing journey, while half laughed during the face-to-face journey.
Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, from Dundee University's School of Psychology, said: "If babies are spending significant amounts of time in a baby buggy, that undermines their ability to communicate easily with their parent."

"Our data suggests that for many babies today, life in a buggy is emotionally impoverished and possibly stressful. Stressed babies grow into anxious adults." Continue reading.

You're often told that the child needs to see the world, that a forward facing buggy allows them to see everything while a rear facing buggy (and moreover a sling!) limits their view to their mother. We're talking babies here, not teenagers! Seeing mummy, hearing her voice, being able to touch her, see her smile at your giggles ... for a baby, there is nothing better in the world. Seeing the outside world means seeing things, hearing noises without a familiar reference point to help you make sense of it.
I often use the same example. A firetruck races by all sirens on, is it a noise signaling danger? In a sling, the baby can feel that his mum is startled but her voice is calm, her heartbeat is regular, her scent hasn't changed... While the noise was loud, my mummy isn't scared, I'm still safe.

Only you can decide what's right for your child, depending on their character, how you feel about it, their age, their preferences, where you're going...

When baby wearing becomes the most chatted subject on the net

2008-11-20T16:07:00.003Z

Motrin thought it might be a good idea to make fun of the mums they were trying to sell to. I'm not sure how they could have ever thought it would be a good idea but anyway!

Anyway, they publish a clip on their website, and printed it in popular parenting magazines, making fun of mums who use slings and carry their baby (it hurts you need pain killer!)

Little did they realise that mums around the world would rally so quickly to defend themselves.

Baby Wearing International published a press release to outline the benefits of baby wearing and protest against the ad. Bloggers & Tweeters were buzzing over the weekend. Facebook's boycott group already has more than 1000 members. Quickly, the company (owned by Johnson & Johnson) withdrew the ad and apologised.

You can still view the original ad on You Tube along with lots of responses, including some really funny ones!

Here is the original ad:

And the replies are flying in:

Are baby slings any good for mothers and baby? Ask The Times

2008-11-17T14:35:00.004Z

Of course at Calin Bleu we believe that slings are good for mothers and babies. They're the easiest way to regain some kind of normality after baby is born, you can put the baby to sleep easily, feed him or her with just one hand, move around the house, go out and about, look after other children, cook, clean even catch a movie (!) with baby snuggled against your chest.

But this weekend The Times had a long article about baby slings, some great information for parents who may have never heard of 'baby wearing' and some not-so-good (Gina Ford and baby being 'just an accessory' doesn't make a lot of sense to me but hey, what do I know, I have 2 young children and she has ... well, none!)

I'm pleased that Calin Bleu is mentioned for our instructions on how to wear a sling. That's something that's very dear to me:
"Putting on a sling for the first time can be an intimidating prospect, especially when they require instructional booklets and DVDs. But help is at hand; for clear instructions go to www.calinbleu.com/baby_sling_instructions.html."

And Sling Meet, whichI founded with my friend Stephanie French in 2006 is also mentioned. "Another sign of their popularity is the mushrooming of “slingmeets”. In 2006 two mums set up the first group, a place where mums can get together and talk about “baby-wearing”, as well as try each others' slings. Now there are 40 nationwide (www.slingmeet.co.uk ). "

This weekend saw celebration of the first International Baby Wearing Week ... more to come soon!

Join the Sling Meet fans on Facebook

2008-11-15T12:51:00.003Z

After the Calin Bleu Facebook page, we're pleased to introduce the Sling Meet fan club on Facebook. Come and join us, post your photos, details of your meetings...

Buy a baby sling and help a mum in great need

2008-11-15T12:42:00.003Z

There is no limit to solidarity between women, together we can reach the sky.
Today, a group of mums around the world are working together to help a mum and her children in great need. They are the victims of heartbreaking domestic violence and have lost absolutely everything.

A new shop has been set up to raise funds to help them.

http://hyenacart.com/TBWFundraiser/index.php?viewall=1

This is an amazing opportunity to grab some bargain slings, nappies, jewellery at amazing prices and help a family get back on their feet.

Please also consider forwarding this link to your family and friends.

If you have items to donate, please contact tbwfundraiserATwvi.com

More and more and many more items will be added later, including raffle tickets for some amazing prizes!

Join us in Glasgow for a Sling Family Day!

2008-11-13T11:04:00.004Z

This week is the First International Baby Wearing Week, to celebrate the joy of carrying our babies (and toddlers!)

Join us for a Coffee and Yummy Cakes Sling Sunday.
Try a different kind of baby carrier, get some help with your sling, help others with theirs, learn to carry your little one on your back, just share a cup of tea and chat with others.

Sunday 16th november
1-3pm

The Annexe 9a Stewartville Street Partick G11 5PE

Everyone is welcome, whether you usually don't use a carrier but fancy having a try, pregnant mums, families... The event is open to all and free. We'll ask for a small donation to cover the cost of the hall. Bring a cake to share.

email me if you have any questions: infoATslingmeet.co.uk
or call: 0845-862-0073

WE HAVE GOODIES TO BE WON AND EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IS ENTERED IN A PRIZE DRAW FOR LOTS OF LOVELY BABY CARRIERS.

PRIZE LIST

1- A Napsack Mei-Tai donated by Napsack (worth £66)

2- A £30 voucher from Little Possums

3- A micro fleece wraparound sling from Calin Bleu (worth up to £39.50)

3- A Unakite Circle Little Gems Nursing Necklace donated by Big Mama Slings

4- A Storchenweige wraparound or ring sling donated by Big Mama Slings , winner chooses colour & size (worth up to £56)

5- A Storchenweige wraparound or ring sling donated by Big Mama Slings (worth up to £56)

6- A fancy red Calin Bleu wraparound sling donated by Calin Bleu (worth £38.50)

7- A Unakite Circle Little Gems Nursing Necklace donated by Big Mama Slings

8- A Napsack mei tai donated by Natural Mothering, worth £66

9- A Unakite Circle Little Gems Nursing Necklaces donated by Big Mama Slings

10- A Napsack baby carrier donated by Sling Jax

11- A ByKay wrap donated by Rumplebums

12- A pair of huggalugs, a toyclip and a slingview mirror donated by Rumplebums

13- A Zidee custom or instock Podeagi donated by Tiddlybums worth £60

A comfortable budget wrap

2008-11-04T13:19:00.002Z

Are you looking for a comfortable baby carrier but watching your budget? Then we have the perfect carrier, a limited edition Calin Bleu. Only £29.95 including postage, choose a cheerful red or simply natural. The simple size is slightly shorter than our normal range:

Ideal for the simple wrap cross carry
For wrapping when it's wet or something light under your coat
For breastfeeding on the go
For parents under size 10 and of course
For back carries
Packs small so ideal for travelling, leave at nursery, grand parents, or while your other sling is in the wash.

Why is a Calin Bleu such good value for money?

One wrap from birth to toddler, that's less than 2p a day!
One wrap for front, hip and back carry
One wrap for mum and dad

It's the present for a new baby, for Christmas or just because it's lovely!
The carrier distributes the weight evenly across both of your shoulders and provides excellent support for both baby and adult. Easy to care for, just pop it in the washing with your regular laundry.

Krusedull is opening in Norway

2008-10-30T20:00:00.004Z

Krusedull is opening a new shop in TRONDHEIM, Sør-Trøndelag
The store is opening on Saturday 1st November 10-15

This is a great opportunity to buy your baby carriers, see cloth nappies for yourself and lovely products for the babies and families.

The address is Nedre Bakklandet 22. Regular opening time mon-fri 10-14, thursday 10-18

Look at what arrived today!

2008-10-30T19:03:00.002Z

Yes! some red wraps, the colour is absolutely gorgeous, vibrant but not too bright. Just what I was looking for to beat the winter gloom.
The fabric finish is slightly crinkly, similar to the hand-dyed Calin Bleu we had in the past.

The short ones and a couple of L ones are already on the site.
Watch this space for more

How to carry your baby in winter (1)

2008-10-27T11:21:00.008Z

How do you keep a little one warm and dry when you're outside in the winter? That is the question.

With a little one, I love wearing the baby in the front in a micro fleece wrap with just a coat over us. The coat doesn't even have to be that big. The micro fleece will keep the baby warm, it's water repellent in case of rain without making you feel too warm when you come back inside. If you need, you can just slip off your coat.
The micro fleece wraps are supportive enough for an older baby, with no 'bounce' effect so you can carry a child on your front longer than with other wraps.

However, it comes a point where back carries are the way to go. Your baby can fall asleep on your back while you get on with the shopping, playing with the older kids at the park... It's time for a 'baby wearing coat'.

There are many baby wearing coats and jackets on the market, however, they also tend to be expensive (and not exactly funky!). I thought I would share with you my quest for the perfect baby wearing coat.

The Magic City Slingers (the Sling group from Birmingham, Alabama) have this great no sew fleece poncho tutorial. All you need is 1.2 yards of thick good quality fleece (don't go for cheap light fleece or the fringes will stretch). You can even download the instructions
On another note, they have a lovely picture of a dad wearing his baby in a Calin Bleu, I love seeing dads use a sling.

... more to come soon...

Come and join us on Facebook!

2008-10-14T09:15:00.002+01:00

We've set up a page for Calin Bleu on Facebook - we will be posting special discount codes, competitions and offers for use by members there only.

Come and join us now!

Calling all Wilsthire mums!

2008-10-06T12:09:00.003+01:00

Mums in Wiltshire, discover Mother's Markets!

Mother's Markets are launched by two mums, passionate about slings and lovely children related items. Starting

Sarah Brough, of Slingtastic says: "I have discovered that lots of people think that slings, wraps and carriers aren't for them - until they actually see them! So i need to get the goods to all those mothers out there, so they can see how fabulous they really are."

With another local mother who has been selling second hand clothes, she has set up a round of Mothers' Markets in East Wiltshire, West Berkshire, and South West Oxfordshire. These are going to have all sorts of different things for babies, children and for the mothers too, from slings, to books, to knitted baby hats to jewellery and lovely grown up presents too."

Their website will be launched soon.
If you're a vendor in the area and would like to exhibit, contact Holly
To purchase your baby sling, contact Sarah.

OCT 16th Hungerford Town Hall 10:00 - 4:00 : map

OCT 18th Devizes St John The Baptist Hall 10:00 - 4:00 map

NOV 4th Newbury St Nicholas Church Hall 10:00 - 4:00 map

NOV 13th Marlborough Methodist Church Hall 10:00 - 4:00 map

NOV 15th Wootten Bassett Memorial Hall 10:00 - 4: 00 map

NOV 18th Wantage Dale and Downlands Museum 1.00 - 3.00 map

NOV 19th Tidworth Leisure Centre 09:30 - 1:30 : map

NOV 27th Salisbury United Reform Church Hall 10:00 - 4:00 : map

DEC 11th Witney Langdale Hall 10:00 - 4:00 : map

Some tips about your wrap

2008-09-30T09:50:00.004+01:00

I was helping a mum recently and noticed something so here is today's tip ~ To be comfortable, your wrap needs to be snuggly tied. The easiest way to do this is to keep good tension in the fabric from the beginning: place the middle label over your tummy and bring the ends across your back and over your shoulders. Resist the temptation to loosen the pocket to slide the baby in, instead, gently pull on the fabric.There is always enough give in the fabric to slide the baby in. Once you've placed the baby, do the 'snug enough test': take your hands off the baby briefly. Does it feel secure? Yes then it's snug enough. No,then lift the baby's weight by pushing under his bottom with your hand and gently pull on the fabric. Then continue!

I hope this helps.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us.

We welcome to the new Calin Bleu retailer in Spain

2008-09-26T14:56:00.005+01:00

El Pequeño Canguro es una empresa familiar, creada en 2008 por una familia comprometida con la crianza natural. Cuando nació mi hijo en Octubre 2007, tenía mucho miedo de no ser capaz de crear un vínculo con mi pequeño, de
calmarlo, de que pasase unos cólicos terribles, lo típico que te dicen que es normal, que puede ocurrir y que no es el fin del mundo. Pero después de haberlo llevado 9 meses dentro de mí me resultaba imposible dejarlo llorar, sentir que no estaba bien, y quedarme a mirándolo. Una vez que sentía mi contacto (o el contacto del su padre) se calmaba enseguida.
Además a él no le gustaba nada estar tumbado en el carricoche, las pocas veces que lo probamos lloraba desconsoladamente. Conocía los fulares y su uso a través de mi hermana mayor, que vive en Francia y tiene dos hijos. Allí son bastante más conocidos que en España. De hecho, me regaló ella uno al nacer mi hijo. Fue un auténtico descubrimiento y me convenció el mismo día que lo probé. Sentir a tu hijo pegado así es una sensación única. Lo llevé así hasta que empezó a querer andar. Para ir de tiendas, hacer la compra o irse de paseo me resultaba mucho más cómodo que llevarlo en una silla muy aparatosa. Mi hijo de naturaleza bastante inquieta y muy activo, y hoy todavía cuando quiero calmarlo, lo cojo contra mí y entre el calor mío, los latidos del corazón y el olor de su mamá, se calma enseguida.
En El Pequeño Canguro vendemos fulares pero también porta bebés ergonómicos. Hacemos parte de la Red Canguro que difunde por España el uso de los fulares. Para ver una demostración, por favor ponte en contacto con nosotros.

El Pequeño Canguro is a family business, created in 2008 in the heart of a family committed with bringing up children in a natural environment. When my son was born in October 2007, I was very scared of not being able to create a link with my little one, of not being able to calm him down, or help him through terrible stomach pains, and other the typical problems, which are after all, not the end of the world. After having carried him in my womb for nine months, I found it impossible to leave him crying, knowing he is not feeling well, Once he felt my contact, or
that of his daddy, he calmed himself down easily. He never liked to stay lying down on the pram, he cried endlessly every time we tried. I knew about the slings and baby carriers through my sister who lives in France and has two children. Over there they are much better known than in
Spain, in fact, she bought me one when my baby was born. It was a total discovery for me, I was convinced the very first day I tried it on. It is a unique feeling to have your baby so close to you. I carried him like this until he started to want to walk. It proved to be more comfortable
than a bulky pram, especially for going shopping. My sons is very active, and even nowadays, when I have to calm him down, I hold him close, and mummy’s warmth, my heartbeat, and my scent calm him down quickly.
At El Pequeño Canguro we sell slings and ergonomic baby carriers. We take part in La Red Canguro, a network that promotes the use of slings in Spain. To see a demonstration, please contact us.

Join Lilababy in Utrecht

2008-09-16T19:43:00.002+01:00

Join Kirsten and Lilababy at the Utrecht baby expo from October 30th. Get a chance to see and try your wrap in person, get advice from the experts!

This baby expo is held for the 6th time in the Jaarbeurshal in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is for parents to be and young families with kids up till 8.

There is a lot to see and do:
- The newest trends on baby- and kids rooms;
- A fashion show 4 times a day that includes womens-, maternity- and kids cloting;
- A playroom for the kids and some popular kids tv personages are present, for example Bumba;
- A creative square where you can find do-it-yourself stuff for the nursery or kids room;
- A lottery for the Ronald MC Donald house in Utrecht;
- And so much more...

Lilababy will be there with a nice selection of baby carriers.
Among them Calin Bleu (including a new Red cotton wrap!), the Active Baby Carrier, and some nice accessories to go with the baby carrier: Huggalugs to keep legs and arms nicely warm at all times. Sling View Mirrors, so you can see your child even when its on your back. And Sling rings for making your own sling.

When? 30/31 October and 1/2 November from 10:00-17:00 Where? Jaarbeurshal, Utrecht, the Netherlands Stand number: 131

The microfleece wraps are on the way

2008-08-13T21:10:00.003+01:00

Get ready to place your order soon; or contact your local retailer.
The micro fleece wraps will be ready to ship the week of August 18th.
Click here to view the beautiful colours.

Red or Bordeaux for a new Calin Bleu?

2008-07-15T10:16:00.004+01:00

Would you like to help us choose the colour of the new Calin Bleu?
Would you prefer the bordeaux (top) or the red (bottom)?
You can email us: colours@calinbleu.com
Or you can vote on The Baby Wearer. You need to be a member but it's free to join and this is no doubt the biggest resource when it comes to carrying your baby. Thousands of parents around the world joined by one passion: carrying their children.

A wearing tip: tighten your wrap

2008-07-04T16:52:00.004+01:00

When you tie your wrap sling on, keep it tight from the start. Place the centre of the sling on your tummy and bring the two ends across your back and over your shoulders. Resist the temptation to loosen the belt to slide your baby in, pull the fabric tight instead.
The fabric has enough 'give' for you to wiggle the baby in. Do the tightening test: once the baby is sitting in the 'belt', legs bent and wide apart, can you briefly take your hands off the baby without him or her sliding down? If yes, it's tight enough. If it doesn't feel secure enough, use one hand to lift the baby's weight slightly and use the other hand to pull on one side of the wrap. Do the same thing on the other side.
Then continue as normal!

Not strictly slings! Reusable shopping bags

2008-06-24T14:49:00.005+01:00

Sure this blog is about slings but there are lots of other things we like and you might enjoy too.
Today's find is those lovely reusable organic cotton bags, they will be make an unusual teacher's present.
They're comfortable to wear even when loaded with heavy shopping, and they look fab too! They remind me of the shopping bag my grand mother had back in the 70s and 80s. Back then, they were so un-cool (probably because they were made of polyester string and black!)